Jul 9 1968
From The Space Library
British physicist Samuel Tolansky, appointed special investigator for Apollo program, had predicted discovery of industrial diamonds among 40 lb of matter Apollo spacecraft would bring back from moon. Theory was based on supposition that lunar craters had been caused by meteor impact or volcanic eruptions producing shock waves. "You can create diamonds by passing a shock wave through carbon," he said. "And there has to be carbon on the moon." (NANA, Pasadena Independent, 7/9/68)
Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. scientists were studying use of small charcoal beds to remove contaminants in space capsules where pollution hazards had been found to be "more serious than those for the man on the street." Studies had isolated 150 contaminants, most of which could be extremely toxic. (WSJ, 7/9/68, 23)
President Johnson transmitted Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to Senate for ratification and urgently recommended that Senate "move swiftly" to enhance U.S. and world security. "The treaty," he said, "does more than just prohibit the spread of nuclear weapons. It would also promote the further development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under safeguards." Treaty had been passed by U.N. General Assembly June 12 and opened for signature July 1. (PD, 7/15/68, 1090-2)
Fixed-wing SST design aerodynamically similar to one unsuccessfully submitted to USAF by Boeing in 1957 XB-70 competition but featuring more titanium, new flight control system, and more powerful turbojets was presented to customer airlines at FAA SST program briefing. Model was undergoing wind-tunnel tests to determine its ability to exceed mach 1 without perceptible sonic boom. (Hoffman, W Post, 7/9/68, 1)
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